How to EGG: Cook off with Matt Dawson and Will Greenwood
Two close friends. Two England rugby legends. Two born winners. Only one crown.
In our new video series, Matt Dawson and Will Greenwood, go head to head in a series of cooking challenges on the Big Green Egg. Matt, a Celebrity MasterChef champion, is the more confident cook but a Big Green Egg novice. Will has spent the past three years slowly mastering the EGG. Neither likes losing – particularly to each other.
The venue for this epic contest is the beautiful Hampton Manor hotel in Warwickshire. Presenter Olivia Wayne sets the challenges. Judging the results and offering guidance along the way are Tom Booton, the youngest head chef in the history of The Grill at The Dorchester, and David Taylor, chef director of the hotel’s Michelin-starred Grace & Savour restaurant.
New episodes are landing weekly. Let battle commence.
Episode 1: The chicken challenge
To kick off: two XL EGGs, two chickens each, homemade mayonnaise on the side, no rules around cooking method or flavourings.
Can Matt’s roast spatchcocked chicken compete against Will’s secret weapon, a Big Green Egg Rotisserie 2.0? Can his piri piri-style spicing stand out against the classic garlic, lemon and herb flavourings of Will’s spit-roasted birds? Watch below.
WIN VIP TICKETS TO SEE ENGLAND
Matt and Will’s cook-off coincides with another series of epic contests: the 2025 Autumn Internationals. On 23rd November, England are taking on Argentina at the Allianz Stadium Twickenham, and we have four VIP tickets to give away, complete with prime seats in the East Stand, a four-course meal, and the chance to socialise with legends of the game before and after the match. See our Instagram post for details.
Join the revolution
The Rotisserie 2.0 used by Will in the chicken challenge launches in November. Lighter, simpler and easier to store than its groundbreaking predecessor, it brings the magic of spit roasting to Large and XL EGGs. Our first consignment is likely to sell out quickly, so pre-order now to avoid disappointment.
ABOUT MATT & WILL
There aren’t many English sportsmen who can claim the title ‘World Cup winner’. Matt and Will are two. Both played a key role in England’s victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Matt as an agile, intelligent scrum half, Will as an elusive, try-scoring centre. Close friends for decades, they also share a love of food. Matt won the inaugural Celebrity MasterChef competition in 2006 and has written a cookbook. Will, a keen outdoor cook, has owned an EGG for several years and shared a recipe for our 50th birthday celebrations in 2024.
ABOUT HAMPTON MANOR
Set within a beautiful 45-acre estate complete with woodlands and a walled garden, the Two Michelin Keys Hampton Manor hotel is as famed for its food as it is for its grand architecture and luxurious rooms. As well as two award-winning restaurants – the Michelin-starred Grace & Savour and the more rustic, produce-led Kynd – the estate is home to a kitchen garden, a cookery school and an artisan bakery. Big Green Eggs play an important role in creating Grace & Savour’s highly acclaimed tasting menu.
A special thank you to Fjona Hill for the photography.
